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Browns Fan Awaiting Bandwagoners

The media has jumped on board with a single draft pick. The sports world will follow behind once the NFL’s regular season begins. The Cleveland Browns just don’t have the same old feel of “The Factory of Sadness” or “Mistake by the Lake” Browns. There seems to be more of a buzz around the team and it’s not just about Johnny Manziel.

Ok…ok…I know that all everyone is talking about is Manziel and his recent trip to Vegas or Josh Gordon’s apparent upcoming suspension for a failed marijuana test, but there is more to this team. Much of the talk is about offensive players, which after the horrible product placed on the field in recent seasons is warranted, but the winning will start on the defensive end.

Last season the defense finished in the top 10 in yards allowed and they were considered a bad team. I understand they let two of their most talented defensive players (T.J. Ward and D’Qwell Jackson) walk this offseason, but they added equally talented players in Donte Whitner and Karlos Dansby at the same positions. They also added Justin Gilbert through the draft to pair with top paid CB Joe Haden.

The Browns are in a great position to win games the good old-fashioned way. Play great defense and run the ball effectively. The additions of Ben Tate through free agency and Terrence West via the draft will help the Browns do just that. So much talk has been placed on the WR’s, especially with the uncertainty of Gordon’s 2014 season, but the running game and the offensive line is where the success will ride.

How often do we see an offensive minded team win the Super Bowl? It’s rare, and in those occasions when we do see it, their defenses played a major part in their postseason success.

Browns new GM Ray Farmer has a proven track record of evaluating talent from his Kansas City Chiefs days and already appears headed in the right direction in Cleveland. HC Mike Pettine wants to run specific schemes on defense and Farmer has gone out to get guys who fit in. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Browns in the top 3 on defense this season! Quote me if you’d like!

Farmer has also done the same on offense, by adding the RB’s and upgrading the offensive line. Bringing back Alex Mack was a major point of concern following last season and Farmer accomplished that. Adding Joel Bitonio in the draft gave them another starter who has a bright future on the offensive line.

Finally, the most important position of any football team needs to be addressed. The QB position of the Browns is the main focus of everyone talking about and watching the Browns this offseason. Manziel was a top pick and fans are hopeful he’s the “franchise QB” the team has been looking for. Brian Hoyer had a couple great games last season before going down with an injury is expected to be handed the keys this year.

Personally, I don’t care who the QB of the team will be this season. They will still have to grow, but if they follow the formula of teams winning with “game managing” QB’s, they can be very successful. Play solid D, run the ball and limit turnovers.

That’s it folks. That’s all the Manziel talk you’re gonna get out of me today! At the end of the day, it’s all about winning football games and if Manziel or Hoyer follows the keys to success and wins games, I don’t care what else happens.

Drew Carey needs to bring back The Drew Carey Show and gear up, because the future is bright in Cleveland. No more dreary, depressing clouds following the team around. The sun is on the way out after the storm.

I’ll drive and await the passengers, because the bandwagon will be full by year’s end!